W8r3 An awfully difficult run (not the words I used at the time)

[MuddledGardener]

Well, after all my uplifting posts, I have to report that this run sucked BIG TIME. One reason may have been that as I was at my granddaughter‘s sports day in the baking sun, I was unable to keep my fluid level up.

Anyway, I think that I only experienced about a maximum of ten to fifteen minutes of good running, compared with the rest where my lungs felt on fire, plus wanting to burst. Legs were a little heavy, but bearable. Jo just wasn’t quick enough telling me that it was all over. Maybe payback for my disobedience on Wednesday. My running buddy kept dancing along to her music (she’s nearly seventy-one, damn her!), which made me feel even more pathetic and inadequate.

I only covered 3.25km, but did shave 13 seconds off my previous pace. This was despite going really slowly at times, when I was badly struggling.

Strangely enough, on the cool down walk back to my house, I strode along at a cracking pace, as if I hadn’t just struggled for twenty-eight minutes. Where’s the logic in that?

On Monday, I start week 9. I intend to rest well and drink plenty of water over the weekend, to maximise my potential. I will not be put off by today’s run, as I know everybody has stinky runs.

Anyway, at least my four year old granddaughter had a successful day, coming first in the 100m race, and third in the 100m hurdles. So here is a photo of her. 😍

[Stephen_UK Graduate]

Sounds like you make the best of the situation, so well done on that. They can’t all be great runs, can they? Or what would we all talk about?!

Great picture, too.

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Stephen_UK]

Thanks, Stephen! We could always talk about shoes and socks! 🤣🤣🤣

[Debston Graduate]

Gorgeous pic of your granddaughter on the podium! Well done you on making it through to the end of the run, Week 9 will seem easy peasy after that one. ☺

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Debston]

Thank you! I really hope so! 😳

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Well done for getting through it, sounds like a really hard run. Roll on next week have a great weekend

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you, Sola! Off to a rose festival tomorrow! 😍

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

That will be wonderful enjoy

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you, I definitely will! 😊

[Oddity]

Relax!

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Oddity]

Hmmm. Easier said than done! I always do try to keep my shoulders, arms and hands relaxed. Maybe I was tensing up and didn’t really realise it.

[Oddity in reply to MuddledGardener]

I meant relax now 🤣

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Oddity]

Bahahaha!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

There on that lovely photo is a future graduate of C25K, congratulations to your granddaughter on coming first in her 100 metres. You just take a few days off running and drink plenty of water the day before you run next.

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you! So proud of her! Next run on Monday. I’ll be ready! 🤨

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Not long before your granddaughter will be able to run a junior parkrun.

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Ooh! How old do they have to be?

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

Not sure, UnfitNoMore marshals at Junior Parkruns on a Sunday, he will be able to tell you what the age limit is.

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Ta.

[NewRunner4 Graduate]

Gosh, that sounds like a hard one. Well done keeping going. Move on, next week’s the last one - how did that happen?! 😀

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to NewRunner4]

I know! Crazy, isn’t it? How have two months passed by so quickly?

[backintime Graduate]

She's saving a place on the podium for you next week.

Very cute picture

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to backintime]

Thank you! She’s my everything!

[backintime Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

Now I have Barry White in my head too ...my first, my last, my everything...

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to backintime]

🤣🤣🤣

[lexi6 Graduate in reply to backintime]

Ooh! Love that man’s voice, do my cool down walk to that song. ❤️

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to lexi6]

Steady on! 🤣

[lexi6 Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

He’s better without the visual Phwooooar! 😂

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to lexi6]

🤣🤣🤣

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Well done and as you said everyone has a 'stinky ' run , your next run will be better . Congratulations to your granddaughter you must be so proud 😊😊👏

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

I am so proud of her! I shouted my self hoarse, cheering her on! 🤣

[Granspeed Graduate]

All granddaughters are cute but that one is a budding athlete as well. Runner to be, like Gandma. Ever onwards, both of you. 👏🏼🎉

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Thank you, Granspeed! She looked so determined! 😁

[SlowLoris]

A common problem after a good run is setting off too fast on the next one.

You had to slow down to complete it but still you were faster overall. So you must have set off quicker than usual.

Small changes in pace make a big difference to performance.

But you completed it anyway. Running requires mental training as well as physical so remember this one for the next time the going gets tough.

No such thing as a bad run.

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to SlowLoris]

I knew, seconds after I set off, that I had made a mistake, which I rectified quickly, however, I think the damage was already done. It’s interesting to think that I am really beginning to think about and analyse my running as it is happening. I think I am turning into a Proper Runner! 😁

[CAFC62 Graduate]

Well done for keeping going - only 3 runs to graduation 👍🏻

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to CAFC62]

AARRGGHH!!! 😱😁

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Just try and relax into these longer runs.. put pace or distance out of your head.. and go gently.

The running legs are still new.. they are finding their happy pace... just let them

Start slow and stay slow... land lightly.. kissing the ground with your feet, I call it...try to let those legs maintain a steady, even pace...

You are not pathetic and you are not inadequate.. you are a new runner ...and doing amazingly!

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss! You always know what to say! 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

You are doing just fine...

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you! 😊

[Hidden]

I know they’re not nice, but I honestly believe those hard runs are the ones you should celebrate the most. The measure of a true champ isn’t how you perform when things are going well, it’s how well you perform when things are going bad, they find a way to win, and that’s what you did, you found a way to win. Well done champ 🥊 Great pic as well 😃

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Aw, thanks, Clubberlang!😁

[Slothgoesrunning Graduate]

Keep going MuddledGardener. We’re all willing you will on and marvelling at your determination.

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Slothgoesrunning]

Wow! Thank you! 😃

[Meepmum Graduate]

You can do it MG, think how quick your recovery was, it's the first change I noticed. You had lots things going on and it was humid today. But more importantly think I know where your granddaughter gets her running genes from. Go for it and you will get there 🏃‍♀️🎉we will all be cheering you on. 👏

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Meepmum]

Thank you so much! 😁

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

What a cutie!

You’ve got it figured out. You know what probably contributed and likely the next run will be better. Chalk that up to a reminder that not all runs are good but they are still better than sitting on the couch (although I have spent the day doing that myself since after our drought we have had huge flooding rains for the last few days mixed with high winds. Not a great day to run but a great day to read a book 🤓 and recharge. If the winds die down at all tomorrow, I’ll hit the trails, rain or shine!)

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thank you. 😊I hope your weather improves soon!

[Rhodalewis Graduate]

Don't feel despondent MuddledGardner. ..you did it... you're well on your way. Onto the final week... be proud of all you've achieved and look forward to standing on that podium.

And huge congratulations to your granddaughter. She looks rightly very pleased with herself...and I can imagine how proud ypu must be.

As for Junior parkrun she can do it...it's for 4 -14 years. 2 km. A lovely event. I often Marshall at our local one and love to cheer the kids on.

Enjoy your final week and enjoy a lovely weekend. X

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Rhodalewis]

Ah, thank you for that. I’ll see if she and her mum are interested. 😊

[Hidden]

Ah, a stinky run, but you are sounding philosophical and you have a nice weekend ahead of you. Balance that rose wine with water, don’t want a stinky head now!

Love the photo of your granddaughter looking chuffed to bits on the podium. I’m sure you are inspiring her too. 😊

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Actually, I haven’t touched alcohol since hubby went back to work, two weeks ago! Just don’t fancy it. 😳

[Hidden in reply to MuddledGardener]

That is so funny!! Made me laugh 😂 🤭!! My hubby works away frequently and I find that I don’t drink when he’s not here either. They clearly drive us to drink when they’re around!! My constant mum-taxi service is usually my reason. 🚖

[Bluepup1 Graduate]

I also had a bad W8! Well done for sticking with it and to your granddaughter for her wins 🤗 x

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Bluepup1]

Thank you! I wonder what it is about it?

[nif100 Graduate]

well done... those sort of runs creep in now and again we are only human after all "quote rag n bone man". Please remember our little legs are still trying to get used to the fact we are using them now to run on.. they are little newbies to this running lark just 8 little weeks that is all. It will take many more weeks training them into this new way of life but it will be a new way of life for you too...enjoy11

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to nif100]

Thank you for that. If only my legs WERE little! 🤣

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate]

Ah, what a sweetie!

And also a thankyou to you! Your last post inspired me to get up and get out of the house, after 2 years of procrastinating lol. I did my second run today and am looking forward to my third on Wednesday. Hopefully, I'll be able to talk about my week 8 runs soon! Hope your next run is better

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Onewomanscrusade]

Well done for getting out there! I’m so glad I was able to help you! We’re all in it together, as they say, and we’ll be cheering you on all the way. Keep posting about your runs, so we know how you’re doing. 😊